Amnesty International Australia condemns the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the NSW police against peaceful protesters demonstrating against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia.
We strongly oppose the unnecessary and excessive force used by police, and call for an urgent, independent investigation of police conduct.
The rights to freedom of expression and assembly are protected under international law. As a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Australia has a clear obligation to respect and uphold these fundamental human rights – this includes facilitating people exercising their right to peaceful protest.
Around 10,000 people gathered in Sydney to protest Herzog’s visit and to demand justice and accountability for the Israeli President who Amnesty, the International Court of Justice and the UN Independent Commission of Enquiry have determined has overseen and directly incited genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, resulting in over 70,000 deaths. At last night’s protest in Sydney, at least 27 people were arrested, and many suffered from and were subjected to extreme and unnecessary police violence.
Amnesty International Australia is deeply alarmed by reports of police targeting already vulnerable and marginalised communities. First Nations Peoples, Muslim worshippers and leaders, as well as elderly protesters, were among those subjected to police use of force, including the use of pepper spray, police on horseback charging into crowds, and officers boxing protesters in with no avenue to safely disperse before launching attacks.
“The right to protest is protected under international law. What we witnessed last night was a serious assault on those rights and a deeply troubling display of State sanctioned violence.”
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar
Scenes of police officers using excessive force on Muslim worshippers who were peacefully praying are shocking. Amnesty calls for accountability and for the protection of freedom of religion. Protesters who had their hands raised and were clearly surrendering were subjected to punches and disproportionate force.
Amnesty activists and supporters, including teenagers, sustained injuries after being surrounded by police at Sydney Town Hall and prevented from leaving, before being charged from all sides.
The excessive use of force by police occurred against the backdrop of rushed protest laws passed by the NSW Parliament. Amnesty warned that these laws risk criminalising peaceful protest and enabling arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement, particularly against vulnerable and marginalised communities. The events of last night demonstrate that our fears were well-founded.
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar, says:
“The right to protest is protected under international law. What we witnessed last night was a serious assault on those rights and a deeply troubling display of State-sanctioned violence.
“Police brutality and the use of excessive force by police have no place in Australia. Law enforcement officials should be protecting people’s right to protest, not violently suppressing peaceful protest and harming those demonstrating.
“As Australia rolled out the red carpet for Isaac Herzog, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to demand accountability for the genocide he has incited and overseen against Palestinians over the past two years. The NSW Government is more concerned with punishing those protesting genocide, occupation and apartheid than those responsible for these war crimes.
“The NSW Government is more concerned with punishing those protesting genocide, occupation and apartheid than those responsible for these war crimes.”
Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, Mohamed Duar
“Authorities are clearly attempting to intimidate, stifle and silence protest. But the Australian people will not be deterred. The right to protest will continue to be exercised, and police conduct must be urgently investigated so that accountability and justice are delivered.”
Amnesty International Australia reiterates that police must prioritise facilitating peaceful protest, not suppressing it through the use of force. Law enforcement authorities must observe international standards; police use of force must be targeted, proportionate and only when strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate objective. Non-violent acts of civil disobedience, including those that disrupt traffic or public spaces, must not be forcibly and violently dispersed. Dispersal should only be used as a last resort.
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